Modelling snowdrift sublimation on an Antarctic ice shelf

In this paper, we estimate the contribution of snowdrift sublimation (SUds) to the surface mass balance at Neumayer, located on the Ekström ice shelf in Eastern Antarctica. A single column version of the RACMO2-ANT model is used as a physical interpolation tool of high-quality radiosonde and surface...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Cryosphere
Main Authors: Lenaerts, J. T. M., van den Broeke, M. R., Déry, S. J., König-Langlo, G., Ettema, J., Munneke, P. K.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2010
Subjects:
article
Verlagsveröffentlichung
Antarctic
Ekström Ice Shelf
Kohnen
Neumayer
Antarc*
Antarctica
Ice Shelf
The Cryosphere
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-4-179-2010
https://noa.gwlb.de/receive/cop_mods_00028947
https://noa.gwlb.de/servlets/MCRFileNodeServlet/cop_derivate_00028902/tc-4-179-2010.pdf
https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/4/179/2010/tc-4-179-2010.pdf
Description
Summary:In this paper, we estimate the contribution of snowdrift sublimation (SUds) to the surface mass balance at Neumayer, located on the Ekström ice shelf in Eastern Antarctica. A single column version of the RACMO2-ANT model is used as a physical interpolation tool of high-quality radiosonde and surface measurements for a 15-yr period (1993–2007), and combined with a routine to calculate snowdrift sublimation and horizontal snow transport. The site is characterised by a relatively mild, wet and windy climate, so snowdrift is a common phenomenon. The modelled timing and frequency of snowdrift events compares well with observations. This is further illustrated by an additional simulation for Kohnen base, where the timing of snowdrift is realistic, although the modelled horizontal transport is overestimated. Snowdrift sublimation is mainly dependent on wind speed, but also on relative humidity and temperature. During high wind speeds, SUds saturates and cools the air, limiting its own strength. We estimate that SUds removes around 16%±8% of the accumulated snow from the surface. The total sublimation more than triples when snowdrift is considered, although snowdrift sublimation limits sublimation at the surface. SUds shows a strong seasonal cycle, as well as large inter-annual variability. This variability can be related to the variability of the atmospheric conditions in the surface layer.

Similar Items